A senior official said suspected solvent leakage could have triggered the blaze at Escientia Advanced Science Pvt Ltd at Atchutapuram.
Published Aug 22, 2024 | 5:04 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 22, 2024 | 6:54 PM
Chandrababu Naidu visiting a person injured in the fire. (X)
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday, 22 August, announced financial aid for the kin of those who died in the reactor blast and fire in a pharma company in Atchyutapuram SEZ in the Visakhapatnam district on Wednesday evening.
He announced a financial aid of ₹1 crore to the kin of those who were killed in the mishap, ₹50 lakh to those who were injured critically and ₹25 lakh to those who sustained minor injuries.
The toll in the blast is 17. Those injured were 36 of whom 10 sustained critical injuries. The chief minister issued clear instructions to the doctors not to compromise on extending medical care to the patients
He said he wanted the Achyutapuram tragedy to be the last one in the state adding he would ensure that there would be no recurrence of such incidents.
“Vizag is very close to my heart. When the HUDHUD cyclone ripped through the city, you know how I restored essential services on a war footing. There is a need for a review of safety audits in industries in Visakhapatnam,” Naid said.
“Action will be taken against the management if it is found to be lacking in taking safety measures,” he added.
Meanwhile, a senior official said suspected solvent leakage could have triggered the blaze.
Anakapalli district Collector Vijaya Krishnan said there was no rise in the death toll which stood at 17 following the accident on Wednesday.
“The actual cause is yet to be ascertained,” she said, adding preliminary assessment pointed to solvent leakage from a pipe that fell on an electric panel, leading to the fire accident.
The fire broke out at 2.15 pm at Escientia Advanced Science Pvt Ltd at Atchutapuram in Anakapalli district.
The company, which manufactures intermediate chemicals and active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) commenced production in April 2019 with an investment of ₹200 crore.
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